growing frustrated, almost ready to sell it

[FDCChief]

I have been having a heck of a time getting my truck started. I found the GPR was smoked, so I installed the new one, and bypassed the controller with a manual switch in the cab. Fired up cold yesterday morning first try and ran beautifully. Thought my problems were solved, then this morning I was right back where we started. Nothing would make it fire. I warmed the plugs for 30 seconds initially, and no fire. After 5 more min of warming and cranking, I had to get to work and gave up, so out came the ether again. I hate doing that but I have to get it going. I'm starting to wonder if there is another problem. Has anyone had a similar experience? Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated. Too much more of this and I'll be listing it for sale!!

[Snotzalot]

30 Seconds, you have probably burned out a few GP's! This is why we use the automatic GPR.

[gnathv]

If you don't want to use ether and still get it started, soak a rag in gas and lay it by the air intake, it will usually get it going.

[FDCChief]

Originally Posted by Snotzalot

30 Seconds, you have probably burned out a few GP's! This is why we use the automatic GPR.

The maker of the kit suggested up to two minutes if it's really cold. I will test the plugs tonight after work, hopefully I didn't do them harm. The bad thing is, it's not even cold yet! It was only 45F!

Yesterday, the Wait to Start light came on, then went off...today it's not coming on at all..Any idea what that could mean?

The new relay has nothing hooked up but hot 12V, a jumper from that to the small post on one side, the resistor on the other large post, and the switch to the final small post.

I couldn't hear anything clicking this morning when I went to energize the plugs, and I don't see how I could have blown that new relay already. I sure appreciate your input. I'm not a mechanic by any means, but am willing and able to learn.

[LMJD]

30 Seconds, you have probably burned out a few GP's! This is why we use the automatic GPR.

Right, the 7.3 system works well and is trouble-free. At zero or below the longest my glowplugs ever stay on is about 9 seconds (not counting cycling after the Wait to Start light goes out). Since that's generally the case, common sense would say they aren't designed to run 30 seconds or especially two minutes.

[LawnDog23]

check for bad ground on the relay system you have. I had the same problem and after a controller and two sets of glow plugs I figured out it was the ground wire from the controller. Pretty simple but frustrating

[osufireman]

Don't forget that your starter and electrical system needs to be in good check. If your starter turns too slow it won't help starting on the cold mornings either. If you can count the revolutions...it's too slow.

[FDCChief]

Thanks for all the tips guys. I grabbed a friend and a multi-meter and determined that the new solenoid was stuck open. I'll try another, and we should be ready to roll. Hopefully soon I'll be posting questions that are more fun; like turbo installs!